Is a loved one suffering from dementia? Here's how a wrist band could save their life

Shelby Star

Jordan Sutherland / Star intern
On June 13, the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call that an 80-year-old woman with Alzheimer's was missing from her home. The search only lasted six minutes thanks to a wrist band the woman was wearing, which alerted responders to her location.
Clients of the Project Lifesaver program wear a personal locater wrist band that emits a radio frequency signal. The caregivers make sure the band stays on the client's wrist at all times. In the event they go missing, the wrist band can be tracked even into a densely wooded area, marsh, or buildings.
"In Cleveland County, we have 13 clients maintained on a monthly basis," said Lt. Wayne Thomas of the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office. "We are on call for them 24/7."
Clients who use the system include those with Dementia, Alzheimer's, and children with autism.
The Project Lifesaver program has reduced.......read more about wrist band and dementa

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities,

Coping with the daily stress of caregiving

Northfulton.com

DULUTH - There are 15-20 million in-home caregivers in America. Statistically, this probably includes you or a neighbor.

I know that in-home caregiving is frustrating and stressful, because my wife and I have been caring for her mom for 10 years. I've successfully managed the frustrations by practicing these mental or physical activities: I admit, balance, pray, escape, affirm, focus, connect and laugh. Each is important, healthy and helps me through the hassles, guilt and frustrations of caregiving.

First, I admit my negative feelings -- some anger, some resentment, a lot of frustration. If I'm not honest about my own feelings, I cannot cope with them. Only when I finally admitted to my wife that I felt resentment about her Alzheimer's mother living with us, did I feel a level of freedom.

Secondly, I use balance as my next device. If I balance the problems with a sense of responsibility, then I can cope. My wife and I constantly respond to people who ask how we do it with this simple statement: "This is what you do for your family." Mom is family. So we take care of her because she needs taking care of. This fundamental sense of family and a sense of responsibility to family get me through many a day of Mom's sickness.

My third coping skill is prayer. It keeps me in daily touch with the three "big" virtues: faith, hope, and love.

Prayer keeps my life in perspective. Every morning, I start the day by thanking God for my wife and family, for the ability to cope, for the gift of choice, for the examples of love. In prayer, I ask God to grant me the courage to deal positively with this negative situation.

This next coping device is essential: no one can cope with caregiving for a long time without finding some way to escape now and then. Get some person to come in so you can go out. You have to get away and take a break so you can reset your perspectives, rekindle your appreciations, and recharge your soul. Step out of the house so......read all of Coping with the daily stress of caregiving

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities

Solitude Speeds Effects of Aging

webMD

Social Activity Keeps Motor Function Skills Sharp in Elderly People
By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Health NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDJune 22, 2009 -- An active social life may help elderly people fight the effects of aging.

A new study shows that older adults who seldom participate in social activities experience a faster rate of motor function decline than those with an active social life. Researchers found that each point decrease in a person's social activity score was such as decreased muscle strength, coordination, and dexassociated with a 33% faster rate of motor function decline.

Motor function decline is commonly associated with aging and related to dementia, potentially disabling falls, and even death.

Although motor function decline is a growing public health concern, researchers say little is known about factors that contribute to the problem or what interventions may help slow its progression.

Solitude Speeds Decline
The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, analyzed the relationship between participation in social activities and motor function decline in 906 older adults followed for about five years. None of the participants had a history of Parkinson's disease, stroke, or dementia on entry into the study.

Researchers evaluated the participants' motor function by testing grip and pinch strength, balance on one leg, placing pegs on a board quickly, and walking in line heel to toe. The participants also filled out a survey to measure their social activity and used a five-point scale to assess their level of social activity. Examples of social activity included going to restaurants, playing bingo, volunteering, visiting friends or family, and attending religious services.

The results showed that elderly people with less social activity had a more rapid rate of motor function decline.

In addition, a one-point decrease in social activity was equivalent to being about.......read all of Solitude Speeds Effects of Aging

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities,

Independence Day Sale: Ultimate Alzheimer's Care Rescue Program Open

Brian Willie
Elder Law Attorney

Here we are on July 4th (is th...and
all around the U.S. we get to enjoy our
Independence Day with hotdogs, apple pie & fireworks!

This is the perfect chance to think
about your independence.


It's also the perfect chance to celebrate the re-release of my "Ultimate Alzheimer's
Care Rescue Program."

http://www.ultimatealzheimersrescue.com/mainsite.html

You may remember that I released this a few months back, and it literally sold
out in less than a week.

Well, I've decided to open up the doors, and as a special Independence Day
incentive, you can pick up a copy of my program at its OLD introductory price.

But, this will not last. Starting next week, the price is going up significantly
and I'm releasing it to the general public.

So claim a copy of this 6 set audio program with full transcripts for
yourself.

ultimate alzheimers rescue program

This program is life-changing. It's comprehensive, factual and easy
to understand. And, it will finally give you that "ah ha" moment
where it all comes together.

And, the information is delivered using audio recordings that you
can easily listen to right on your computer, (just push play)
or even put it onto a cd or ipod if you like.

You'll also be able to just click on the transcripts that go along
with each module and follow right along.

So all you'll have to do is relax and listen as I walk you through
each part in hand-holding style.

But-a quick word to the wise: I have to limit the number I release,
so that I can focus on you and your individual needs.

And, the price is heading up next week.

Since I have ALOT of people who receive my emails and newsletter and an
almost frenzy of people on my priority notice list that have
already received this, you do have to act fast.

The decision to move forward, or not, will have a big impact on
your family's life. It may mean the difference between running out
of money after less than 26 weeks of long-term care or having a
nice nest egg for your family.

All the best!

Brian Willie
Elder Law Attorney

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities,


They are happy they used the program

Top ten, 4th of July, activities for those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

Healthnrws-stat.com

Author and dementia healthcare professional,Susan Berg, suggests ways to enjoy the holiday with dementia folks that are stress and falure free.

Here are some easy, yet fun things to do on or near the 4th of July together

10. Arrange flowers real of fake. You can use red, white and blue flowers to make the bouquet or centerpiece look patriotic.

9. Plan a picnic or a party from beginning to end

8. Have a picnic perhaps using the ideas from your plans. If the person with dementia does not want to go outside, no problem, have the picnic inside.

7. Go to the beach or the park. Go at off times to avoid the crowd. You can always go on different day. Again if you fear a negative reaction to going to the beach, bring the beach to your home. Get some sand, sea shells and other beach paraphernalia.

6 Have a small get together at home. Hire or have someone to assist the ADRD person.

5. Draw some patriotic pictures. You can use paints, magic markers or crayons. Fireworks are easy to draw.

4. Read a........more of the Top ten, 4th of July, activities for those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities,

'Still Alice' book events bring awareness to Alzheimer's Disease

IndyStar*com

Provided by Jeff Johnson

The Alzheimer's Association will be showcasing the novel Still Alice and promoting Alzheimer's disease awareness throughout Metro Indianapolis in during the months of July and August.

A representative from the Alzheimer's Association will have a booth set up at Greenwood Borders, 1251 N. U.S. 31, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 1. There will be copies of "Still Alice" to purchase, plus association staff will be available to answer questions and provide materials on Alzheimer's disease and how the Association can help those dealing with this devastating disease.



"Still Alice" is the best-selling novel about the descent of a 50-year-old university professor diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer's disease. The story is told through Alice's perspective.

The Alzheimer's Association assisted author Lisa Genova with her research, which included interviews with several members of past Early Stage Advisory Groups. The Association is also featured prominently in the book's plot.

Julia Fox Garrison, author of "Don't Leave Me This Way," has said, "You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to read this book. It will scare you. It will change you.

Today, approximately 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, including 120,000 Hoosiers. Every 70 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer's disease, making Alzheimer's disease the 7h leading cause of death. The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia amount to more than $148 billion annually.

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities

Cultural challenges in caregiving

Are you a new family caregiver?

View our FREE training module, Becoming a Caregiver.

Sharon Brothers MSW

If you've hired a private caregiver you probably know this already: the nation's caregiving community is composed largely of individuals who are foreign born or from minority ethnic groups.

For many families, this is a challenge, but one that can be overcome.


Communication. Let's start with the basics: communication. It's tough to communicate with a caregiver who speaks limited English. It's even tougher to ask this caregiver to communicate with an elderly loved one who may suffer from hearing loss, dementia or other conditions that impair communication in the best of situations. Yet caregivers from other cultures, who speak very limited English, can be compassionate, gentle, reliable sources of care for our loved ones. Try these approaches to bridge the communication gap:
Make sure emergency communication is possible. Can the caregiver call 911 in case of an emergency and clearly express the emergency? Can she relay the address and phone number of the location? Ask, "Tell me what you would do if the oven caught fire and you needed to call the fire department." Listen carefully to what the caregiver says, and coach her if needed until you feel comfortable with her ability in this area. Print the address and phone number of the location clearly, and post it near the phone. We all know the feeling of forgetting our own phone number in a crisis - and that's without a language barrier.
Let the caregiver know what you need to know each time you visit or call. Do you want to know how your loved one ate or slept? What activities he did during the day? How he seems to be feeling emotionally? Try creating a task sheet with each of these questions written out for the caregiver, and space for her to write in answers each day. Many foreign born individuals learn to read English but are hesitant about speaking it.
Learn a few words in the caregiver's language. Try hello, thank-you and good bye, for starters. As you learn to respect the language of your caregiver, she will feel more comfortable in communicating with you in your language.
Encourage the caregiver to speak English by praising every attempt. Often people are reluctant to practice their English because they feel that their pronunciation is poor or they are embarrassed at their lack of skill. Try not to correct or criticize attempts, but praise them for each progressive success in the language.
Help your loved one communicate. If the caregiver is not able to freely communicate with your loved one, recognize that your loved one needs other companionship for communication. Spend as much time as you can simply talking to and listening to your loved one. Include the caregiver when you can to help bridge the gap between the two.
Values and traditions. Today's American values provide many opportunities for culture clashes with the values and traditions of a caregiver from another culture. These can range from the caregiver who is extremely uncomfortable speaking with a family member of the opposite sex, to the caregiver who comes from a background of strong familial responsibility and can't understand or accept our busy lifestyle. Learn as much as you can about the values and culture of your caregiver by asking questions and researching to avoid cultural misunderstandings and conflicts.

Diet. Caregivers often work through mealtimes, especially those that work full days or overnight. Many families assume that caregivers will eat with the client in the American family style. Talk about food with the caregiver, and your expectations for mealtimes. Your caregiver may not feel comfortable eating with your loved one, and may have distinctly different food preferences. Cover these topics to avoid misunderstanding:

Preparing food for your loved one. You may need to provide a menu and recipes or cooking instructions for even basic fare if this is not familiar to the caregiver.
Mealtime. In general, elders eat better in a social setting. If your caregiver isn't comfortable eating with your loved one at mealtime perhaps she would feel comfortable with a cup of tea, visiting with your loved one while he eats. Explore this with the caregiver.
Preparation of the caregiver's meals. Ask what the caregiver prefers to eat. Do you expect the caregiver to bring her own food? What about cooking meals in your loved ones' home? Explore this, as some foods from other cultures can be distasteful during preparation to the American palate (especially to the older person).
Cultural differences between client and caregiver are facts of life for many families today. That doesn't mean that care must be compromised, or communication limited. It does mean that we must learn to develop a greater awareness of the caregiver's culture and sensitivity to working together for the best care of your loved one.

In the end, taking the extra effort can result in a rich, rewarding experience for everyone involved.

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities